Sophomore Kerry O'Loughlin recorded a double-double in the Jeffs' 65-59 win

Amherst Uses 27-7 Run to Move Past Middlebury, 65-59

From a Middlebury College Release

January 19, 2007

MIDDLEBURY, VT – The Amherst College women’s basketball team overcame a 10-point deficit with a 27-7 run in the second half to rally past Middlebury College 65-59 in NESCAC play Friday night at Pepin Gym. Middlebury returns to action against Trinity on Saturday at 3 p.m. while Amherst hosts Williams in a 2 p.m. showdown.

The Panthers built an 11-point lead in the first half, as Emily Johnson hit a trio of three-pointers, building a 15-4 advantage with 12:27 remaining in the opening frame. Amherst cut the lead to 28-25 heading into the break with a 9-3 run as sophomore Amanda Otieno (Gloucester, MA) chipped in five points during the span, including a three-pointer.

By the 16:49 mark of the second half, the Panthers once again built a double-digit lead, 39-29, with Ashley Barron tallying five points during the run while Katie Fisher book-ended the scoring with a pair of buckets as well. Amherst answered the outburst with an impressive 27-7 run over the next 10 minutes, building a 56-46 advantage. Sophomore Kerry O’Loughlin (Stow, MA) netted eight points during the run, while junior Stephanie Reiff (Hinsdale, IL) and first-year Samantha Swensen (Rockaway Park, NY) collected six points apiece.

Middlebury could get no closer than six points as Amherst shot six-for-seven at the free throw line during the final 1:36 to earn the win. The Lord Jeffs shot 56% from the floor in the second half, including 50% from beyond the arc.

Amherst was led by O’Loughlin, who had a game-high 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Swensen and Reiff scored 14 and 12, respectively. Otieno finished with a career-high eight points, knocking down all three of her field goal attempts.

Middlebury had two players score in double figures, as Jennifer Kelleher led the Panthers with 14 points and Johnson scored 11.